BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) – As the Buffalo Sabres face elimination for the first time this postseason, head coach Lindy Ruff has decided against traditional practice methods.
Instead, he instructed his team to meet at the airport and emphasized a simple message: Show up and play.
Ruff believes that a day away from the rink could relieve pressure on the players. He stated, “We need to move on. There’s only one game that counts, and that is the game tomorrow.” The Sabres will play Game 6 against the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night, trailing 3-2 in the second-round series.
Game 6 Details
The Sabres will play Game 6 in Montreal at 8 p.m. EDT, a match that promises a vibrant atmosphere as it coincides with Canada’s Victoria Day holiday weekend. Canadiens coach Martin St. Louis commented on maintaining focus, stating, “I feel that you just stay present where your feet are and take care of that.”
Montreal has shown resilience this postseason, not having lost two consecutive games. They have a mixed record in series-clinching games, having lost one and won one in previous rounds.
Sabres’ Challenges
After a disappointing 6-3 loss at home, the Sabres face significant challenges, including a struggling offense and inconsistent goaltending. Buffalo allowed three goals in the final minutes of the second period during the last game, raising concerns about their defensive play.
In their last four games, the Sabres have scored only nine goals while allowing 19. Leading scorer Tage Thompson has contributed two goals and two assists, while Alex Tuch has yet to score in the series, acknowledging his defensive shortcomings.
Goaltending remains uncertain as Ukko-Pekka Luukonen was replaced after allowing five goals on 23 shots. Alex Lyon, who stepped in, allowed one goal on three shots, leading to speculation about who will start in Game 6.
Opportunities Missed
Ruff expressed concerns regarding the Sabres’ failure to capitalize on scoring opportunities, particularly during the first period against the Canadiens. He noted that the team may have missed several chances to maintain offensive pressure.
Despite the recent struggles, Ruff highlighted the positives, noting that the Sabres have performed well on the road this postseason, including a series-clinching victory against Boston. He encouraged his team to embrace the moment, stating, “I think we’ll all be evaluated on what this game looks like. Just bring your best.”